The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has revealed that its former presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, along with Labour Party’s Peter Obi and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Kwankwaso, are discussing the possibility of a merger to defeat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
PDP deputy national publicity secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, stating that the three opposition candidates from the last election are considering setting aside personal interests to form a formidable alliance to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.
Abdullahi noted that the PDP could have defeated the APC in 2023 if not for the previous leadership’s poor handling of internal conflicts.
He stated that high-ranking figures such as former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike, Kwankwaso and Obi would not have worked against the party or left it under different circumstances.
Discussions of a merger or alliance among the 2023 presidential candidates have been ongoing following meetings between Atiku and Obi and the visit of former Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai to Atiku.
Obi and Kwankwaso, top PDP leaders, left the party months before the 2023 election, citing irreconcilable differences.
On the prospects of an alliance or merger, the deputy PDP spokesman said, “This APC claims they defeated us by over one million votes. Just one of these names I mentioned could have closed that gap, and we would have been in power today, and Nigerians would not be facing this despair and despondency.”
When asked if the PDP is trying to bring Obi, Kwankwaso, Wike, and others back into the party, Abdullahi said, “Sure, discussions are ongoing. You will see Peter Obi talking with Atiku and meeting with (Nasir) El-Rufai.
“Party management is very challenging, and we are doing our best in the current situation. Rest assured, there will be light at the end of the tunnel. We have learned our lessons the hard way.”
APC’s Bola Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election with 8,794,726 votes.
Atiku, competing in his sixth presidential election, received 6,984,520 votes, while Obi, a first-time contestant, secured an unprecedented 6,101,533.
Kwankwaso came fourth with 1,496,687 votes, claiming victory in his state of Kano.
Asked what would happen if Obi and the others returned to the PDP, Abdullahi said, “One of them would concede to the other, and then we would have a clear direction.
“Our concern as a party and to these individuals is to rescue Nigerians from this despair and despondency amid hunger and frightening insecurity. There is evident cluelessness and ineptitude from those managing the country.
“Atiku is saying if it is better for him to help Nigeria out of this hopeless situation, he would do so. He must not be in the race. Atiku is saying it is his democratic right to contest at any time, and there is no ceiling stopping him from doing so. But he is not forcing it upon the party or the country.
“I am telling you clearly: Peter Obi is suitably qualified; he can aspire, and we will support him if he gets the ticket. Atiku is also suitably qualified, and if he gets the ticket, we will rally behind him and give him the necessary support to rescue Nigerians from this situation.”